Nine Youth Win USTA Southern NJTL Essay Contest

USTA Southern has announced the winners of the 2017 State NJTL Essay Contest.

USTA Southern has offered each winner an all-expense paid trip for them and one chaperone to the Winston-Salem Open in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Aug. 19 to Monday, Aug. 21.

(Note: 2016 winners are pictured above.)

The winners will receive free tickets to the Winston-Salem Open, one of the American summer pro tennis events that comprise the US Open Series. Among the players scheduled to appear include 2017 Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey and two-time champion and local native John Isner.

“Visiting the Winston-Salem Open is a dream-come-true for many of our NJTL players,” said USTA Southern Director of Diversity, NJTL and Grants Cee Jai Jones. “Not only will some experience their first flight, but they will also meet an ATP World Tour pro player and get autographs at a professional tournament, which is a special treat.”

This year’s essay contest question asked: "In addition to tennis, education and life skills are extremely important to the development of our youth. Which one of the three components above is most important to you, and how will it help you throughout your life?" To enter the contest, students were asked to write an essay of 350 words or less.

All youngsters submitted their essay for national review. Three Southern youth were selected for national recognition and a trip to New York for the Arthur Ashe Kids Day as part of the US Open festivities. State winners were selected by a five-person panel.

The National Junior Tennis and Learning (NJTL) network is a nationwide network of community tennis organizations seeking to develop the character of young people through tennis and education. NJTLs are unique because they offer a variety of on-court programming and also educational and life skill components designed to enhance a child’s overall development.